A group from the Egyptian delegation has departed for Senegal in preparation for the Youth Olympics.
A group from the Egyptian delegation has departed for Senegal in preparation for the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, scheduled from October 30 to November 13. This will be the first edition of the event hosted on the African continent, as part of Egypt's preparations to compete and achieve positive results that reflect the stature of Egyptian sports.
The departing group includes several male and female athletes and coaches across six sports: beach volleyball, beach rowing, judo, equestrian, badminton, and table tennis, to participate in this Olympic event that gathers a selection of young sports talents from around the world.
Beach Volleyball and Beach Rowing
The beach volleyball delegation consists of coach Atef Adel and players Karma Mohamed Badawy and Marwa Mamdouh, while the beach rowing team includes athletes Youssef Morsi and Alia Ali, along with coaches Mostafa Abdel Jawad and Alaa El Din Ahmed.
Judo and Equestrian
For the judo competitions, coach Hisham Msbah accompanies athletes Mohamed Hassan and Ali Al-Ramli, while the equestrian delegation includes athlete Yassin Al-Basyouni and coach Mohamed Al-Basyouni.
Badminton and Table Tennis
The badminton delegation consists of players Omar Al-Sabaan and Malaika Mohamed, led by coach Ahmed Salah, while Egypt will be represented in table tennis by players Abdel Malek El-Sayed and Yara Al-Badawy, under the supervision of coach Magdy Salama.
Egyptian Aspirations at the Youth Olympic Event
The Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 are set to begin amid new changes that have reshaped the competitive landscape, imposing different calculations on the Egyptian delegation, which is taking on the challenge with 45 male and female athletes competing in 19 sports.
This participation comes amid restrictions on the number of participants imposed by the organizing committee, and the absence of sports where Egyptian athletes have traditionally excelled, such as weightlifting, modern pentathlon, and karate, which reduces some chances for medal contention and complicates the path to the podium.
On the other hand, support from the International Olympic Committee, which includes $1,000 for each athlete and free accommodation, provides an opportunity to ease the burdens and allow the champions to experience a rich Olympic journey.
Amid the ambition for medals and the challenges of reality, Egypt aims to secure four medals, in estimates that remain open to surprises from the competitions and the athletes' ability to exceed previous expectations.
The importance of Dakar extends beyond just winning medals; it also encompasses gaining experience, interacting with international schools, and honing young skills, in a true test of Egyptian sports' ability to turn limited opportunities into achievements and build a new generation that carries the aspirations of the future.
